Charges: Man stole delivery truck because he was 'running from zombies'

After stealing a newspaper delivery truck from a gas station, an intoxicated Apple Valley man told police that he took it because he was “running from zombies,” according to criminal charges filed this week.

Garrett Howard Hurlbut, 23, was charged with stealing a motor vehicle on Sept. 29. Just after 1 a.m., according to court documents, Hurlbut stole the Star Tribune delivery truck while its driver was dropping off newspapers inside an Apple Valley Kwik Trip on W. 145th St.

Police found Hurlbut near the truck several blocks away, at 140th Street and Cedar Avenue. He told police that he had “jumped or fell from the truck” and was “running from zombies,” according to the criminal complaint.

According to the complaint, the defendant had “bloodshot, watery eyes and a strong odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath.” He was found to have a blood alcohol level of .198, more than twice the legal limit for driving.

He was taken to the hospital to treat cuts on his head. Police officers heard Hurlbut make several statements about stealing the truck because he was being chased by zombies.